Howard E. Babbush
Howard E. Babbush (October 8, 1941 – January 16, 2004) was an American lawyer and politician from New York.
Life
Babbush was born on October 8, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York City. He attended Thomas Jefferson High School. He graduated B.A. from Pace University,[1] and from St. John's University School of Law in 1966. He was admitted to the bar in 1967. He married Marilyn, and they had three children.
He entered politics as a Democrat, and became first an Assistant Corporation Counsel of New York City, then an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and later an Assistant New York City Comptroller.[2]
On April 27, 1976, he was elected to the New York State Assembly, to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of A. Frederick Meyerson to the New York City Criminal Court. Babbush was re-elected several times, and remained in the Senate until 1996, sitting in the 181st, 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th, 186th, 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th and 191st New York State Legislatures.
On September 16, 1987, Babbush, Senate Minority Leader Manfred Ohrenstein and Ohrenstein aide Frank Sanzillo were indicted for 564 counts of grand larceny, conspiracy and several other crimes. They were accused of hiring full-time election campaign workers, in the guise of legislative aides, who were paid with money from the State Legislature.[3][4] All three pleaded not guilty. Although he remained under indictment, and was re-elected several times in the meanwhile, Babbush's case never came up for trial.
In 1996, he was defeated in the Democratic primary by John L. Sampson. In November 1996, Babbush ran on the Liberal ticket for re-election, but was again defeated by Sampson.[5]
Babbush died on January 16, 2004, while travelling in Spain.[6]
References
- New York Red Book (1983–1984; pg. 113)
- Ohrenstein: A Career That Began With Reform in the New York Times on September 17, 1987 (pg. 2)
- NEW YORK INDICTS 2 STATE SENATORS in the New York Times on September 16, 1987
- Legislator Charged in 564 Counts In New York Payroll Abuse Case in the New York Times on September 17, 1987
- Results of Voting in New York Races for the State Legislature and the Courts in the New York Times on November 7, 1996
- Ex-Senator Howard Babbush Dies While Vacationing In Spain by Charles Rogers, in the Canarsie Courier on January 29, 2004
| New York State Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by A. Frederick Meyerson |
New York State Senate 16th District 1976–1982 |
Succeeded by Jeremy S. Weinstein |
| Preceded by Major Owens |
New York State Senate 17th District 1983–1992 |
Succeeded by Nellie R. Santiago |
| Preceded by Martin M. Solomon |
New York State Senate 19th District 1993–1996 |
Succeeded by John L. Sampson |